Swordsmanship (Sneak Peak)

My blade cut through the sack of grains in an instant. Applause could be heard in the background.

“Thank you everyone!” I bowed half-heartedly to the crowd of watching villagers.

“Don’t get too full of yourself,” A gruff voice said as I was knocked out of my disgraceful bow. The same sword I had attacked the grains with was being held to my neck. “You still have a long way to go.”
            “You spoil all my fun,” I growled, now stuck to the ground.

“Everyone leave! Now!” The voice yelled out into the crowd that was beginning to grow larger by the second.

“Oh, c’mon. They love me. You have to admit it, Arthur.” I giggled up at him.

“No, they love your hideous swordsmanship.” Arthur replied, the gruffness still apparent in his voice.

I scowled up at him. “That was rude. Now, remove the sword. Like you said, I’ve got work to do.”

Arthur raised an amused eyebrow. “Make me.”

“That’s sooo not happening.” I immediately replied.

“It’s part of your training, Adira. You have no choice in the matter.”

“I don’t even have a sword!” I argued.

“Precisely. You won’t always have a sword available during combat.” Arthur growled.

I rolled my eyes. “Fine, but the villagers stay.”

Arthur gave me an icy smile. “They never left, they love you too much.”

“Are you being sarcastic?” I questioned.

“Stop getting distracted and fight me!” Arthur yelled.

“Whatever.” I mumbled then rolled quickly to the left avoiding the slashing of Arthur’s sword.

Arthur narrowed his brows. “Nice move, where did you learn it?”

“My teacher.” I glared at him. “My rude and distasteful teacher.” A chorus of laughter erupted from the crowd circled around us.

Arthur’s swings became more heavy and unforgiving. “So, my suspicions were right. You do talk about me outside of class. How flattering.”

“What?” I said as I dodge another swing that could have cut my arm off. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Arthur ran towards me and jumped high into the air landing right in front of my face. I was too startled to move. The sword was placed against my neck, right where it was before we started this mess. “I know you like me.” He whispered.

My face turned exotically red. “How do you know that?” I squeaked.

“The villagers.” Arthur grumbled. “Did you really think they came to watch you?”

I turned my face away to avoid showing Arthur my embarrassed face. The action caused the sword to bite into my skin. I yelped in surprise.

“It’s so typical of you Adira. It’s something you’re going to have to change if you want to get into The Quest.” Arther smirked then removed the sword. “Practice is done for today.” Then he stalked off in the opposite direction.

The crowd cheered at his obvious win and kept cheering until he was out of sight. Then, they dispersed; no one noticing I was on the ground.

             ***

“I heard about it. Save yourself the embarrassment.” My mom chuckled at me.

            “Mom!” I yelled, almost choking on my food.

            “There is to be no yelling at the dinner table.” My Mom said, still grinning at me.

            I swallowed my food. “It was all Arthur, all right? He totally did it on purpose to embarrass me.”

            “No doubt.”

            I groaned. “Mom! I’m serious! I need a new teacher!”

            Mom stood up from the table as she was done with her food. “He’s the best one around. Besides, I’m the one that pays for these lessons. I think that I have a right to choose who teaches you.”

            I slam my face on the table dramatically. “I’ll die tomorrow if Arthur is there for practice.”

            “Well, it better be by Arthur’s hand then.” Mom replied unaffected.

            I gasped. “Mom!”
            “Shut up and clean the dinner table. I’m sick of your whining.” Mom scolded me.

            “Ugh. I hate this town and all the people in it!”

            “Watch your mouth.”

            I groaned again. “Yes, Mother.”

I'm From a House of Glass

I’m from a house of glass that tumbled to the ground.

From cracks and breaks all around, from corded tension,

And unclear roads.

To jumbled feelings and stepping stones.

 

I’m from a broken house.

But though it’s broken,

And cracks still show…

We glued our house together:

A new family with new walls

 

I’m from a stronger house.

One that doesn’t break or bend.

We built it out of

Rocks and bricks, a glue that doesn’t end.

 

I’m from a home that shelters and protects.

I have a family that builds me up, no matter where I end.

And though we had a broken house,

We learned from all the fractures…

Now we know when to bend and how to mend what is broken.

 

Heart in the River

1. The gaping hole
Silences my chest.
There is no more heartbeat.
No more sounds.

2. What once was a distant, quiet part
Of me,
Is now bleeding into the water.
It bleeds my soul.

3. The river that washes over my heart
Is blue.
Its icy touch stains the red,
And my heart withers into dust.
It withers into nothing.

4. As red dust dissolves into the water
And my heart slowly disappears,
My chest feels free of endless sorrow
I've had to feel for years.
As, my heart disappears.

5. Suddenly, the water looks enticing.
I want to wither away too!
I want to be the Earth,
The movement of the wind,
And the rain from the heavens.
I want to be the river.

6. The river washes over me,
The dark hole it takes.
It cleanses my spirit,
Along with the breaks
Of my soul that is no more.
And I am gone.
Gone.

I Miss You, Please Come Home

         I balanced on the edge of the boat, waiting for my fingertips to finally meet the water. I could hear, smell, and even taste the ocean's salty breath, but I wanted to feel it.
         "Careful Nadine, or you will fall."
         "I always am," I relplied with a slight grimace.
         I ignored the loud conversations on the boat and looked out into the blue vastness. It's like the ocean was calling me home. I wanted to be as close I could get.
         The ship had stopped moving ages ago. The anchor was keeping the ship still. I lowered myself onto the ledge of the boat and stuck my feet in. This gave me more satisfaction than my fingertips.
          I smiled at the warmth of the water. "It's good to be back. How's Mom doing?" The water tumbled around me with no response.
          "No answer huh?"
          The water then crashed onto the side of the boat. "Mom? I miss you. Please come home."